THE chairman of the Welsh Language Board was turfed out of a meeting yesterday after he refused to retract criticism of the host university.

THE chairman of the Welsh Language Board was turfed out of a meeting yesterday after he refused to retract criticism of the host university.

On the day that the University of Wales, Aberystwyth launched its language scheme - drawn up with the WLB - it was drawn into a war of words with the board.

The spat was initiated when Rhodri Williams, WLB chairman, said he was "deeply troubled that the process has taken so long to implement".

"If every body operating in Wales had pondered as much over their obligations under the Welsh Language Act then the reality is that the Act would have been almost worthless," he said.

The scheme means that Aberystwyth will agree to review Welsh language use within the university as well as stating clearly its intentions towards the language in its academic provision.

Mr Williams criticised the university's "unwillingness" to accept responsibility for the language, amid claims consultations first began nearly five years ago.

His criticism continued, "As a former Aberystwyth student who was active in language and student politics I can understand why Aberystwyth students are protesting these days. The lack of leadership shown by the university over this issue means that the Welsh language provision there has hardly developed over the past 25 years.

"But 'better late than never' and I'm glad that we have seen a change of mood. The challenge now for Aberystwyth University is to adopt the scheme in an imaginative and energetic manner."

A spokesman for the university said, "For Rhodri Williams, the chairman of the board, to try and use the occasion in a public statement to wrongly criticise the university for being 'unwilling to accept responsibility for the language' and for prevaricating is grossly insulting.

"Indeed, the university considers his statement to be egotistic and utterly unprofessional. Because he would not withdraw his words, Rhodri Williams was asked by the president of the university Lord Elystan Morgan not to attend the launching ceremony."